Watch Forest of Death

Forest of Death is a Taiwanese horror film released in 2007 which was directed by Danny Pang. The movie stars Shu Qi as May, Ekin Cheng as Yeung, and Choi Wah 'Rain' Lee as Shum. The story of the film takes place in the Aokigahara forest, a forest located at the northwest base of Mount Fuji in Japan that has a dark history of being a place where people committed suicide. May and Shum are documentary filmmakers who decided to make a film about the forest and its supernatural legends. They team up with a guide named Yeung, who is an expert in navigating the dangerous forest.

As they delve deeper into the forest, the trio encounters bizarre occurrences and strange phenomena, such as peculiar sounds and visions of floating spirits. The closer they get to their film's completion, the more they uncover dark secrets residing within the depths of the forest.

The movie's plot is a mix of psychological horror, ghost stories, and thriller elements. As the three characters progress further and further into the forest, they begin to experience unexplainable events, including hallucinations and supernatural occurrences. Many of these occurrences tie into Aokigahara forest's dark history of being a site where many people have committed suicide, making for a more unsettling and disturbing journey through the forest.

What sets this movie apart from other horror-thriller films is its use of outdoor locations, which creates an additional layer of tension that enhances the viewers' experience. Aokigahara is a popular site for people who want to commit suicide, and this background, on top of the eerie scenery, makes the audience feel both anxious and claustrophobic.

Moreover, the movie's suspenseful score and camera work add to the fear factor. The shots of the dense forest and its creepy surroundings generate a sense of dread in the audience - an atmosphere that is further supplemented by the psychic and supernatural occurrences that happen throughout the movie.

The plot of Forest of Death is perfectly executed, with a final act that delivers an unexpectedly satisfying twist. The film manages to keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end, oscillating between a psychological thriller and an outright horror. Danny Pang's direction ensures that the audience remains engaged throughout the film, never allowing them to look away from the characters' troubles.

Shu Qi as May is the primary protagonist in this movie, who has a complicated history with the forest. Yeung, played by Ekin Cheng, is an expert in navigating the forest and keeping himself safe. Choi Wah 'Rain' Lee as Shum is May's partner who accompanies her on the film's journey. All three actors gave impressive performances in the film, with Shu Qi's May being the standout among them, making viewers empathize with her throughout the movie.

In terms of themes, the movie raises an interesting point on the morality of the sensationalism of suicide and horror. It highlights the debate surrounding whether or not these topics should be explored in entertainment or not. It leaves the audience with a question, making them decide whether they want to consume or create the films that explore such topics.

In conclusion, Forest of Death is an excellent horror-thriller that is worth watching for fans of the genre. It delivers all the essential elements that make a good horror movie - an eerie atmosphere, great performances, a taut plot, and an unexpected ending. It is as much a horror movie as it is an exploration of one of Japan's darkest locations. If you feel particularly strong-willed, go ahead and give this movie a watch.

Forest of Death is a 2007 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.1.